Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to make enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it effectively.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.